Editing articles Help:Editing

1 editing articles

1.1 content protocols
1.2 edit screen(s)

1.2.1 minor edits
1.2.2 major edits


1.3 adding references
1.4 adding images, sounds , videos

editing articles

see also: wikipedia:faq/editing , help:editing visualeditor

content protocols

when adding content , creating new articles encyclopedic style formal tone important. instead of essay-like, argumentative, or opinionated writing, wikipedia articles should have straightforward, just-the-facts style. goal of wikipedia article create comprehensive , neutrally written summary of existing mainstream knowledge topic. accordingly, wikipedia not publish original research. encyclopedia is, nature, tertiary source provides survey of information subject of publication in wider world. ideally information should cited , verifiable reliable sources. sourcing requirements stricter in articles on living persons.

edit screen(s)

editing wikipedia pages quite simple. wikipedia uses 2 methods of editing: classic editing through wiki markup (wikitext) , through new visualeditor (ve). wiki markup editing chosen clicking edit tab @ top of wikipedia page (or on section-edit link). take new page containing editable contents of current page. wiki markup used extensively throughout wikipedia such things hyperlinks, tables , columns, footnotes, inline citation, special characters , on.

the visualeditor option intended user-friendly, see (wysiwyg) editing aid allowing 1 edit pages without need learn wikitext markup. available registered logged-in users through opt-in choice available through personal preferences, see visualeditor user guide more information.

two editing environments: wikitext , visualeditor

the wikipedia community has developed style guidelines make articles , facts appear in standardized form, , wikipedia easier use whole. basic list of wiki markup can found on cheatsheet. edit toolbar provided above edit box (pictured below), allow logged-in users (by selecting option in personal preferences) automatically place , format various aspects of wiki code. see help:wiki markup more information, remember can t break wikipedia, and, although there many protocols, perfection not required, wikipedia work in progress.

when have finished editing, should write short edit summary in small field below edit box (pictured below). may use shorthand describe changes, described in legend. see how page looks edits, press show preview button. see differences between page edits , previous version of page, press show changes button. if re satisfied see, bold , press save page button. changes visible wikipedia users.

☐ minor edit ☑ watch page

by saving changes, agree terms of use, , irrevocably agree release contribution under cc by-sa 3.0 license , gfdl. agree hyperlink or url sufficient attribution under creative commons license.

save page show preview show changes cancel

note: not sign edit summary line ~~~~ signature, not work there.

minor edits


the minor edit checkbox (circled) in wikitext editor

a check minor edit box signifies superficial differences exist between version edit , previous version: typo corrections, formatting , presentational changes, rearranging of text without modifying content, etc. minor edit version editor believes requires no review , never subject of dispute. minor edit option 1 of several options available registered users. editors should not feel marking change minor devalues effort.

major edits

all editors encouraged bold, there several things user can ensure major edits performed smoothly. before engaging in major edit, user should consider discussing proposed changes on article discussion/talk page. during edit, if doing on extended period, {{in use}} tag can reduce likelihood of edit conflict. once edit has been completed, inclusion of edit summary assist in documenting changes. these steps ensure major edits received wikipedia community.

a major edit should reviewed confirm consensual concerned editors. therefore, change affects meaning of article major (not minor), if edit single word.

there no necessary terms have agree when doing major edits, preceding recommendations have become best practice. if own way, likelihood of edits being reedited may higher.

when performing large edit, suggested periodically, , before pressing save page , copy edits external text editor (preferably 1 without formatting, such notepad). ensures in case of browser crash not lose work. if adding substantial amounts of work, idea save changes in stages.

adding references


introductions: help:introduction referencing (wiki markup) , help:introduction referencing (visualeditor)



a screencast walks through essentials needed in citing sources. (2:01 min)




a screencast walks through how use various features of reftools. (5:03 min)

generally sources added directly after facts support @ end of sentence , after punctuation. wikipedia permits editors use citation system allows reader understand information came from, , encourages use of inline citations so. common methods of placing inline citations include footnotes, shortened footnotes , parenthetical references.

inline citations commonly placed inserting reference between <ref> ... </ref> tags, directly in text of article. when 1 saves, display in text footnote (e.g.), , source keyed in appear on page in collated, numbered list corresponding footnote numbers in text, wherever {{reflist}} template or <references /> tag present, in section titled references or notes . if creating new page, or adding references page didn t have any, don t forget add references section display markup.

there number of tools available citation placement , formatting, of internal tools , scripts while others available external sites. example of former, reftoolbar javascript toolbar displayed above edit box provides ability automatically fill out various citation templates , insert them in text formatting inside <ref> ... </ref> tags. example of latter, wikipedia citation tool google books converts google books address (url) filled-out {{cite book}} template ready pasted article. see help:citation tools many others.

adding images, sounds , videos


introductions: help:introduction uploading images , help:introduction images (visualeditor)

a file hosted on wikipedia or wikimedia commons can inserted basic code [[file:filename|thumb|description]] . ( image: can substituted file: no change in effect; choice between 2 purely matter of editorial preference.) using thumb generates thumbnail of image (the common placement option), typically sized differently original image. wikimedia commons file upload wizard , wikipedia s file upload wizard, guide through process of submitting media. files uploaded mirrored between wikipedia , wikimedia commons, , searchable either one. there various file formats available.